Universal conveyer and chain therefor



Patented June 5,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

STANLEY J. BENNEB, OI KAZLETON, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO HOOBEIJBOP rename COMPANY, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OI MAB- Application filed July 26,

This invention relates to a conveyer for transporting factory products or other similar purposes. In its general construction, my improved conveyer comprises a chain having universal joint devices provided at regular intervals therein to permit move-- mentof different portions of the chain relative-to each other in two different directions. The universal joint devices are com-- 1 monly provided with extensions having guide-rolls thereon by which the chain may e guided and supported.

It is the general object of my invention to improve the construction of such universal conveyers as heretofore used and to produce a conveyer of increased utility and great flexibility.

Another object, is to provide a universal conveyer chain which may be very easily assembled or separated and which may be easily converted into a straight line conveyer chain when the universal action is not desired.

A still further object is to provide a universal conveyer chain which may be driven by a sprocket having a single row of teeth thereon instead of involving the increased ex ease of using a double sprocket.

y invention further relates to arrangements and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter set forth and more particularly pointed out inthe appended claims.

preferred form of the invention is shown in the drawings in which Fig. 1 is a side view of myimproved conveyer chain;

Fi 2 is a sectional elevation, taken along the hue 2-2 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of one of the pivot members; Fi 4 is an end view thereof, looking in the direction of'the arrow 4 in Fig. 3; and

Fi 5 is a partial side elevation of a sproc et wheel adapted for use with my improved chain.

Referring to Fig. 1, I have shown a ortion of my improved chain comprising s ort sections of regular chain pivotally connect-- ed by my improved universal joint devices. The regular chain comprises blocks 1 hav ing lugs 11 projecting on each side at each end thereof, and side inks 12 pivotally connected to said lugs 11.

UNIVERSAL CONYEYER AND CHAIN THEREFOR.

1927. lull] N0. 208,592.

The links 12 are preferably slotted lengthwise to receive the lugs 11 when the links are turned at right angles to the blocks 10, and the blocks 10 are provided with projections 14 limiting longitudinal movement of the links 12 when in working position. I

My improved universal joint device comprises side plates 20 (Fig. 2) secured at their upper ends by bolts 22 to trolley frame members 23 having guide-rolls or trolley wheels 24 supported thereon. The rolls 24 are adapted to travel between the flanges of an I-beam 25 or other guiding and supporting structure. The side plates 20 are provided with slots or openings 27 I (Fig. 1) having reduced end bearing portions 28.

Pivot members 30 (Figs. 3 and 4) are each provided with a pair of pivot portions or lugs 31 and with an additional pair of pivot portions or lugs 32. The axis of the lugs 31 is perpendicular to the axis of the lugs 32 and crosses closely adjacent thereto,

'as' shown in Fig. 4.

Each lug 31 and 32 is provided with a head which is reduced in diameter in one direction, as clearly shown in Fig. 4. The heads of the lugs 32 may be inserted through the openings 27 in the side plates 20 before the plates are assembled and may then be moved endwise and seated in the bearing portions 28. The pivot members 30 may then be inserted between the usual side links 12 by turning said links so that the shorter dimensions of the heads 31 are transverse to the slotted openings in the side links 12. When the links are thereafter turned to normal position, the longer dimensions of the heads 31 will extend across the slots in the links and will prevent displacement thereof.

It will thus appear that my improved universal joint devices may be first assembled as separate units and may then be inserted in a chain without the use of tools, so that a chain of any desired length may be quicklyand easily built up.

It will also be noted that the distance between the-center points of the axes of the lugs 31, when the two pivot members are in operative position in a chain, is the same as the distance between the axes of the pivots of the blocks 10 or the side links 12. Consequently a regular straight chain may be quickly and easily converted to a umversal chain or vice versa, as the side links and universal joint devices are interchangeable.

It is necessary, asindicated in Fig. 5, to t omit certain teeth on the sprocket 35 to rovide space for the universal 'oint devices, but the chain will run on sproc ets having a single row of teeth, which is an important advantage.

Any suitable device such as a U-shaped member 40 (Fig. 2) may be secured to each universal jolntdevice as by a bolt 41, for supporting any desired load, the form of the supporting devices and the means of attachl6 ment being varied to suit operative conditions.

Having described my invention and the advantages thereof, I do not wish to be 11mited to the details herein disclosed other- 2 wise than as set forth in the claims, but

What I claim is 1. In a conveyer chain hav ng side l nks a universal joint device comprlsing a pair of spaced parallel side plates having a bearing extension and guide rolls mounted thereon,

, and cross-shaped pivot members mounted between said plates, each pivot member hav ng portions pivoted in and between said side plates to turn on an axis perpendicular to said side plates, and each member having additional ivot portions disposed on an axis perpendicu ar to said first axis and on which said side links are pivoted. 4

2. In a conveyer chain having side links, a as universal joint device comprising spaced parallel side plates having a bearing extension and guide rolls mounted thereon, and a pair of cross-shaped ivotmembers having pivot portions to w ich said side 40 links are connected, said first-mentioned pivot portions and said additional pivot portions having their axes perpendicular to each other. 3. Ina, conveyer chain having side links, 4 a universal joint device comprising spaced parallel plates having a bearing extension and guide rolls mounted thereon, and pivot mem said plates and having additional pivot portions to which said side links are connected, said two sets of pivot portions having their axes closely adjacentand perpendicular to each other.

4, A conveyer chain comprising universal ers having pivot portions-engaged inswivel connections to the adjacent ends of two of said flexible connecting members, permitting movement of said joint device relative thereto in two directions per ndicular to each other, and each univer 'oint device comprising side plates having e ongated bearing openings therein enlarged at their middle portions and reduced at their end portions, and said swivel connections comprising cross-sha ed pivot members havin enlar ed heads a apted to pass through sai midd e portions and to be seated in said reduced end portions when said ivot members are in normal working position.

5. In a chain structure including blocks and side links, a universal joint device comprising slotted side plates having a bearing extension and guide rolls mounted thereon and pivot members having lugs engaged in the side links and additional lugs disposed at right angles to said first lugs, and engaged in the slots of side lates.

6. In a chain structure inclu ing side links, a universal joint device occup in a longitudinal space substantially equiva ent to that of one side link and comprising two side plates having a bearing extension and guide rolls mounted thereon, and two pivot members, said pivot members having two lateral lugs engaged with said side plates, and having two additional lugs disposed perpendicu ar to said first lugs and engaged with adjacent side links.

7. In a chain structure including removable side links, universal joint devices positioned at regularly spaced intervals between said side links in the chain, each of said joint devices comprising side plates having a bearing extension and guide rolls mounted thereon, and two pivot members each disposed between corresponding ends of a air of side links and each having pivot ugs engaged with said side links, said pivot mem ers havin additional lugs perpendicular to said %rst lugs and pivotall en-. gaged with and between said side p ates, the axes of said additional lugs being positioned closer together than the axes of said first-mentioned lugs when in workin osition, in which position the axes of sai rstmentioned lugs, when perpendicular to said side plates, are spaced apart a distance substantially etiual to the effective length of one side lin In testimony whereof I have hereunto aflixed my signature.

STANLEY J. BENNER. 

